Telangana Congress Icon Damodar Reddy Passes Away at 73
Veteran politician succumbs to kidney illness after decades of service.
Senior Congress leader and former Minister Ramareddy Damodar Reddy passed away late Wednesday night at the age of 73, succumbing to a prolonged battle with kidney-related complications at AIG Hospital here. The five-time MLA, a towering figure in the Indian National Congress, leaves behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to public service, Telangana statehood, and grassroots mobilization in the Nalgonda region.
Born on September 14, 1952, Damodar Reddy—affectionately known as the "Ramareddy Brother" alongside his late sibling Venkata Reddy—rose from humble beginnings in rural Telangana to become a formidable voice in state politics. His electoral journey began in the 1980s, securing victories from the Tungaturthi Assembly constituency four times before shifting to Suryapet in 2009, where he clinched another term. These strongholds in the undivided Andhra Pradesh (and later Telangana) underscored his deep-rooted connection with voters, often campaigning on issues of agricultural reforms, rural development, and social justice for farmers and marginalized communities.
His ministerial pinnacle came during the transformative 2004-2009 tenure of the late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR), when Damodar Reddy helmed the Information Technology portfolio. In this role, he played a pivotal part in positioning undivided Andhra Pradesh as an emerging IT hub, attracting investments and fostering tech infrastructure that laid the groundwork for Hyderabad's Cyberabad boom. "Under YSR garu, we didn't just build policies; we built dreams for a tech-savvy Telangana," Reddy once reflected in a 2010 interview, highlighting his vision for digital inclusion in rural areas.
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A staunch advocate for Telangana's separate statehood, Damodar Reddy was among the early Congress leaders to champion the movement, enduring arrests and protests in the 2000s. His vocal support helped sway party high command, culminating in the state's formation in 2014. Even in retirement from active electoral politics, he remained a mentor to young Congress workers, advising on strategies during the 2023 Telangana Assembly polls that propelled A. Revanth Reddy to the chief minister's chair.
News of his demise spread like wildfire across political circles, prompting an outpouring of grief. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, a protégé of sorts, described Reddy as "a guiding light whose wisdom shaped our fight for justice." In a heartfelt X post, Revanth Reddy recalled late-night strategy sessions: "Anna's counsel was my compass in the storm of politics. Telangana has lost a father figure." State Congress president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud echoed the sentiment, calling him "the unbreakable spine of Nalgonda Congress," while ministers like D. Sridhar Babu and Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka paid floral tributes at the hospital.
The outpouring extended beyond party lines. Opposition leaders, including BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, offered condolences, noting Reddy's "cross-aisle respect for his integrity." Former colleagues reminisced about his jovial demeanor—famous for hosting lavish community feasts—and his unyielding fight against corruption, which earned him both admirers and adversaries.
Damodar Reddy's mortal remains will be transported to his Suryapet hometown on October 3, allowing well-wishers, party faithful, and constituents to pay their last respects. The funeral rites are slated for October 4 evening at Tungaturthi in Suryapet district, expected to draw thousands in a fitting tribute to a man who embodied the Congress ethos of service over self.
As flags fly at half-mast in party offices across Telangana, Reddy's passing marks the end of an era for the "Ramareddy Brothers," whose combined influence once dominated Nalgonda politics. Yet, his ideals—pro-poor policies, tech empowerment, and regional pride—will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of leaders navigating Telangana's dynamic future.
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